Helianthus maximiliani - Perennial Maximilian Sunflower - quart
Mature Height: 7 feet
Aspect: afternoon shade to full sun
Hardiness Zone: USDA 4-9
Aspect: afternoon shade to full sun
Hardiness Zone: USDA 4-9
Spread: clump forming, needs a good sized planting area
Plant Spacing: 5ft apart
Flowers: hundreds of yellow sunflowers produced from June through September
Leaves: herbaceous, plant dies back in the fall and re-sprouts from the roots next spring
One of the most drought tolerant flowering species we grow, the Maximilian Sunflower thrives in dry soils with only occasional watering. The plants have an open habit and often seem to have more flowers than leaves through most of the summer, with new flowers opening daily even without deadheading. Unlike many common sunflower varieties, Maximilian produces a large number of side branches which is what allows the plants to produce flowers over such a long time period.
Maximillian was also one of our favorite plants for cut flower production in our early years due to its long stems and the lack of dense foliage around the flowers. For shorter bouquets, like 12-14 inches tall, there typically aren't any leaves to strip from the flower stem which was a big time saver compared to annual varieties that produced masses of foliage right up to the flower bud. The fact that this is also a perennial species that comes back every year without having to replant is also a bonus.
In our mild zone 7b climate we are able to produce winter crops such as kale that are seeded directly into our Maximilian patch after cutting the stems down in October. Our kale, spring onions, or radishes are ready to harvest by the time the sunflower shoots start poking up out of the ground in late April or early May.
This sunflower species is native to various midwestern plains in North America and its seeds are an important winter food source for many native bird species. 
